Kerala government to provide free air tickets to workers returning from Saudi Arabia

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government has decided to provide free air tickets to Keralites who want to return from Saudi Arabia, where illegal foreigners were targeted under the country's new labour law, a state minister said.

The general pardon period announced by Saudi Arabia had expired on Tuesday and the Kerala government has taken several steps including arrangements to bring back those Keralites, who have to return, in flights, state Minister for Culture and In-charge of Non Resident Keralite Affairs KC Joseph said.

With the new labour policy Nitaquat coming into effect, Saudi Arabia has started implementing it strictly. The policy is part of that country's steps to expand job avenues for its nationals.

Under the new policy, 10 percent of jobs even in small and medium business establishments should be reserved for Saudi nationals.

Joseph said that the state had set up three advisory committees one each at Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam to help Keralites whose documents were not yet ready and want to return.

The immigrants who want to return have to contact the Committees to get free air ticket, he said, adding that the government has also planned a rehabilitation package for the returnees.